AllFreeNovel
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“Thanks, guys. I’m going to the Ryman later to help set up a band. Hopefully I won’t bump into her again,” Austin says quietly, staring into his empty cup.
I give him an encouraging smile, which he returns.
“What are you going to do today?” Gunn asks Rone.
He looks at me. “I’m heading into the studio with your dad and then going over to Sterling’s new house.” He brushes his hair back like he is starring in his own shampoo advertisement. The only thing missing in this picture is him saying, ‘Because you’re worth it.’ Rolling my eyes, I try not to stare at his big hands when he pushes up his sleeves, or the tattoos on his arms. I focus on the coffee cup in my hands instead. Safe option.
I open my mouth but Frankie beats me to it. “How long are you planning on recording?”
“About six to eight weeks. The label is giving us free rein,” he answers, looking like a man on a mission. I pray the mission isn’t going to be me.
“We did all the pre-production in Dad’s studio back in Seattle and on the road last year. We’ve written all the song lyrics here in Nash. I need one or two more, depending on the tone of the overall album.” He turns his intense stare back at me. “Then, probably a radio stint before the tour. See how it goes.”
We finish breakfast and Rone helps me make lunch bags for the guys before we go our separate ways.
When the guys are all gone, Rone knocks on my door. His hair is still damp from his shower, and he looks like a million bucks wearing last night’s attire.
“I’m going to the studio. The guys just texted they’re already there laying down the beginning of a song.”
“How is Jesse, by the way?” I ask.
He leans against the doorframe. “He’s doing okay. Still touring, you know. Dating a little here and there—nothing serious though.”
“That’s good.” I smile. I always liked his father. He kept in contact with me after everything that happened.
“It is,” he says, getting a faraway look in his eyes. “So yeah, I’m excited to head into the studio and work with the Neve panel your dad bought.” He swallows, glancing around my room.
“Do not get me started on the Neve board. Sometimes I think he loves it more than his kids.”
He grins, but his smile is gone before I can blink. “Are we going to talk about last night?”
“No,” I say, averting my eyes.
“No,” he repeats, his gaze wandering to the pictures from concerts hanging on the wall, the acoustic guitar in the corner, and the sheets of music lying around. He nods toward the guitar. “You still writing?”
Following his gaze, I shake my head. “Haven’t been writing for years.”
“That’s too bad. I always liked your vocals.”
“Navarone.” My voice trembles and I suck in a breath.
He takes a step toward me and his hand moves to my cheek, but he pulls it back before I can tell him no.
“I know I can’t do that,” he says, looking down. “But I would like for us to be friends.”
“Friends,” I repeat, not knowing if I like the sound of this.
“You were my best friend, Al.” His voice rough, brushing his wet hair back. Those dark eyes zero in on mine. “I miss talking to you. I miss—”
I open my mouth to tell him I haven’t missed him but close it again. I know it’s a lie because he’s never left my thoughts. I’m not sure if I missed the idea of him, of us, more than I missed him.
“Please, we’re going to work together for weeks, maybe longer.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Combing my hair back, I sit on the edge of my bed.
“Fuck Allie, we need to talk about everything that happened, or didn’t, between the two of us.”
“Navarone, come on.”
